The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-02-18
asked Mr.. Whitaker"

presents, and that best table cloth.
and the embroidered napkins, and
your pretty china, the table should
have been beautiful, Lofty. I can't
see how even Katy contrived to make
it so dowdy.'
''Setting a table is fine art,,' said
Lofty. you understand it Katy
does not. She shouldn't DE bla med
It was our fault in hiding our tai
eat-''
SIN napkin, asst were said Dick. "
And Lofty, continued Jessie,
leave all the table waiting to me.
Don't let Katy come inside the din
ing.room door. I know | can wait
on the table and change the courses.
and eat my dinner too. 1t won't be
at all like the model table-service
but it will be comfortable and rein.
ed, and infinitely better than poor
Katy's blunders. I can attend to
the coffe, too, and when it comes on
with the dessert, it shall be perfect
ly delicious"
(Which it wasn't last time" said
Lofty.
MRS. Whitaker, it's your turn
to speak," said her husband. What
can you make, ma'ma?"
"Almond cake and oyster stew"
answered Lofty. And the cake l
shall bake the day before.
1t grows upon me! exclaimed Mr..
Whitaker. Can't do something?
Doesn't someone happen to think of
some talent that l have?
Certainly, responded his wife. l
depend upon you. believe there
is not another man in the city who
can find and buy such a roast Of
beef as you can when you do your
best. You are to send up the finest
thing of that sort that the market
will supply.
Every man likes TO exercise his
genius; l shall be delighted.
Then said Lofty the season must
furnish one speciality. What kind
Of trnit is at its best just now?
Bananas"
Then let us have bananas. There
will be very little to buy, so we can
afford to get them of extra qnality.
Katy has specially, too said Jes-
sic; 'She can make superlative
mashed potato, when she gives her
mind to it, answered Lofty; We will
have no other vegetables, and, in
fact, nothing else, except currant
Jelly and bread and butter. Our
bread and butter is always good.
The morning of the second dinner
party arrived. The great juicy roast
had already been skillfully prepared
by 5he best butcher in town Lofty
had only to set it in the oven. and
she was free to put her rooms in
their prettiest order.
Meanwhile, Jessie set the table as
only Jessie could. With the air of
her true, bright eyes, and firm little
hands. she gave the bread and cake
what Dick called ''the best tailor
cut She saw that every plate YVES
in military line, and that every salt
cellar and pepper oox was evenly
filed, and beautiful in its bright
cleanliness. The silver and glass
glittered bravely and at last the
embroidered napkins did themselves
full Justice, The flowers were not
left in the back kitchen this time,
though the ladies true to their reso
luton. had planned only very simple
decorations. But two graceful vases
stood upon the table, and one held a
creamy white cally with it's broad
green leaf In the other were three
great perfect observation-disclosures color,
rose red and white-with misty vine
that wound around the slender stem
Of the vase and lay upon the table.
When the baby went to sleep.
Katy could very we'll take charge of
the kitchen, where the only tasks
were to haste the roast, and to pare
the finest snowflake potatoes,
There was plenty Of time to dress
and few flowers had been reserved
to complete the simple toilettes.
Jessie. in honor Of her post as waiter
died fancy white apron over her
navy blue cashmere and she looked
I think all the prettier for it.
While Dick an Jessie entertained
the guests, Lofty made her oyster
stew. and The gravy for The roast.